Zither.



No. 694,529. Patented Mar. 4, |902.

E.V CHRISTIAN.

ITHE l (Appnc 'i n med se 1900.) I

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet I.

No. 694,529. Patented mar. 4, |902.

E. cHmsTlAN.

ZITHER.

(Application med sept. 1o. 1900.) (No Model.) 2 Shegts-Sheat 2.

UNiTnD STATES PATENT Ormes.

EMIL CHRISTIAN, OF CASSEL, GERMANY.

zl'THER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters lsatent .N o. 694,529, dated March 4, 1902.

I Application tiled September 10, 1900. Serial No. 29,614. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern,.-

Be it known that I, EMILCHRISTIAN, turner and instrument-maker, a citizen of the Kingdom of Prussia, and a resident of Cassel, Germany, (whose post office address is Obere Knigstrasse 17,)'have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Zithers, of which the following is a specification.

The object of this invention is a Zither which has a touch-board movably fastened to the sounding-board of the instrument proper, thus oering the possibility of using one and the same instrument in two or three different forms. A

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l shows an ordinary striking Zither with a movable touch-board, Fig. 2 showing same in use as a bow-Zither. Figs. 3 to 5 shows the movable touch-board, either solid or hollow, in longitudinal and cross cuts. Figs. 6 to S show an accord-Zither with movable touchboard in use either as a striking Zither,.Fig. 6, or as an accord-Zither or as a bowZither.

The movable touch-board a, Figs. l and 2, is fastened in a convenient way to the sounding-board b of a striking Zither, so as to prevent it from rattling. It may be inserted, for instance, in a groove c of the sounding-board and be pressed against one side of this groove by aid of screws d. This touchboard is strung with strings arranged either on one side only or on opposite sides of it. The number of strings on each side varies, preferably, between two and five. If on one side of this touch-board frets of the finger-board are 'arranged in shorter distances than on the other one, the instrument may be changed by turn` ing the touch-board from an ordinary one into one t to be played upon by children.

By drawing the touch-board half-Way out.

of the sounding-board, Fig. 2, the instrument may be used as a bow-Zither.

Now in the case of more than two strings being arranged on a dead-level it would be impossible to strike a single string. It is therefore advisable to give the bridges on one side of the touch-board a slight curvature, Fig. 5, the strings on the other side being arranged in a dead-level.

To play the instrument bow-Zither fashion,

the touch-board is drawn completely out of the sounding-board,turned round,and pushed half-way in again.

h are additional sound-holes, which may be arranged in the sounding-box near the touchboard.

Thetouch-board itself may be used as a sounding-board by making it hollow, Figs. 3 and 5, and providing it with sound-holes.

In any case, even if the touch-board be solid, a fuller sound is produced than with the older instruments, the second set of strings on the other'side of the touch-board being caused by the vibration to emit sounds at the same time.

The movable touch-board may as well be connected with an accord-Zither, Figs. 6-8. In this type of instrument the accompaniment-strings are divided into two groups, one near the touch-board embracing strings t', which are arranged according to groups of accords, while the other group is formed of strings 7c, arranged in chromatic or diatonic succession. By this arrangement one is enabled to use the instrument not only as an ordinary striking Zither, Fig. 6, but also as an accord-Zither, Fig. 7, and a bow-Zither, Fig. 8.

Having thus fullydescribed the nature of my invention, what I claim isl. In a Zither a sounding-box strung with strings for the accompaniment, said soundingbox being provided with a groove; a touch-board being movably inserted into said groove; and means for holding said touchboard in position; substantially as shown and described. n

2. InaZither, the combination withasounding-box, strung with strings for the accompaniment, of a reversible touch-board having on its upper and lower side arranged strings in'varying number. n 3. InaZither, thecombination withasounding-box strung with strings for the accompaniment, of a reversible touch-board having on its upper and lower sides arranged strings in varying number, the bridges and frets being plain on one side and curved on the other one.

4. The combination with a Zither ofa touchboard movably fastened to the body of the instrument, measurements of different length beingprovided on the upper and thelower side IOO of said touch-board, substantially as shown groove of the sounding-box, and means for and described. fixing said sounding-board to the sounding- 5. In azither the combination Witha soundbox; substantially as shown and described. 'ing-box strung With strings arranged in two In testimony whereof I afix my signature 5 groups, one of them containing strings arin presence of two witnesses.

ranged chromaticaily or diatonieaily the v other one containing them arranged in7 har- EMIL (JHRS PIAN' monious groups, of zt reversible touch-board Witnesses:

strung with strings on its upper and lower VOLDEMAR HAUPT,v

io sides, said touch-board being inserted into :t WILLIAM MAYNER. 

